Flashlight



p 1947 W.M. GOLDER 2,427,526

FLASHLIGHT Filed March 1, 1946 FIG. 1

a w w w l 37 FIG. 2.

- Zlwuwvfm WALTER M. GQLDER Patented Sept. 16, 1947 UNl'i'ED STATES EATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a flashlight and more particularly to a waterproof flashlight.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved flashlight of waterproof construction, characterized by extreme simplicity of construction, and consisting of a minimum of parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a flashlight which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple to manufacture and assemble.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, disclosing one form of flashlight embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the flashlight shown in Figure 1, disclosing certain of the operating parts in disassembled relation.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmg.

Having reference now to the drawing, there is generally indicated at Ill a cylindrical battery receptacle, preferably formed of brass or similar electrically conductive material and having an end cap H. The end cap H is permanently secured to the receptacle ill in watertight relation, as by soldering. Positioned within the receptacle H! are conventional flashlight batteries l2, and while in the illustrative embodiment herein shown two batteries are provided, it is to be understood that any desired number of such batteries or cells may be utilized as desired. The opposite end of the receptacle I is provided with an annular band l3, having a continuous, annular edge or shoulder facing the closed end of the receptacle l0 and partly annular edges or shoulders facing the open end of the receptacle, successively offset longitudinally of the receptacle to provide at their adjoining ends transverse shoulders Id (see Fig. 2) adapted to engage and be abutted by corresponding opposite shoulders i5 provided on one end of a reflector unit It. A flanged, knurled union nut ll surrounds the band It, the flange l8 serving to retain the union nut in position adjacent the annular band 13, and is adapted to engage an externally screw threaded portion is of the reflector unit It, which in turn is adapted to telescope over the extremity of the receptacle i5, and when the shoulders i4 and E5 are in abutting relation, and the nut l1 securely tightened, is held in fixed related assembly with the receptacle against rotation relative thereto.

The reflector unit it includes an internal reflector 2! provided with an integral bulb socket 22, within which is adapted to be seated a bulb 23 having its inner end operatively in contact with a terminal of the battery 42, and is provided interiorly with a compression spring 24 between the reflector 2| and the extremity of the adjacent battery, to resiliently urge the reflector unit away from the battery receptacle and thus separate the bulb from its contact with the battery upon loosening of the union nut H on the reflector unit.

The outermost portion of the reflector unit It is provided with a male threaded portion 25, adapted to be engaged by a corresponding female threaded portion 26 of an annular nut 21 provided with a flange 28 adapted to retain a transparent cover 29 in position seated on the outer peripheral rim of the reflector unit I6. The nut 21 is also knurled, to facilitate grasping of the same by the fingers.

The circuit to the bulb is adapted to be opened and closed by rotation of the knurled nut ll, thus eliminating the necessity of utilizing the conventional sliding contact switch.

It is to be understood that if desired, additional accessories, such as a ring on the end cap I l to facilitate handling the device, or appropriate conventional hooks or the like, may be applied to the casing in desired positions.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is herein provided an improved waterproof flashlight construction, characterized by a relative minimum of parts, which may be readily assembled and disassembled as desired, and which, when in assembled relation, provides an effective weatherproof flashlight, which is sturdy and durable in construction, and which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A flashlight comprising a cylindrical battery receptacle having a permanently closed end and an open end, an annular band surrounding said receptacle adjacent the open end thereof providing a continuous annular shoulder facing the closed end of said receptacle and partly annular shoulders facing the open end of said receptacle successively offset from each other lengthwise of said receptacle, a cylindrical reflector unit having an end portion telescopically received on the portion of said battery receptacle between the open end thereof and said annular band, said end portion of said reflector unit being recessed to provide successively offset shoulders inter-fitting with the ofiset shoulders of said annular band to restrain said reflector unit against rotation relative to said battery receptacle, said reflector unit having external screw threads on each end portion thereof, a union nut having at one end an internal annular shoulder engaging the corresponding edge of said annular band and internal screw threads engaging the corresponding screw threads on said reflector unit to releasably secure said reflector unit on said battery receptacle, a reflector in said reflector unit having an integral bulb socket therein, a transparent cover for the end of said reflector unit opposite the end thereof secured to said battery receptacle, an annular flange nut having internal screw threads engageable with corresponding threads on said reflector unit to hold said transparent cover in place thereon, and a compression spring interposed directly between said reflector and the adjacent end of a battery in said battery receptacle to urge said reflector unit away from said battery and thereby separate the end terminal of the battery from a bulb held in said socket upon loosening of said union nut on said reflector unit.

WALTER M. GOLDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

